Enabling people to effectively help themselves

Judi RhysChief Executive, Arthritis Care

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About Arthritis Care• Our visionOur vision is of a world where people with arthritis can lead full and active lives.• Our purposeOur purpose is to empower people with arthritis through support and information, ensuring their voices are heard and their conditions more effectively managed.

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Our impact goals 1. To increase the number of people

with arthritis who are able to manage their pain on a daily basis.

2. To improve the health and wellbeing of people with arthritis and ensure more have the confidence to manage their condition.

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Our impact goals3. To reduce the physical and emotional

isolation felt by many people living with arthritis.

4. To ensure more people with arthritis can live an independent life, receiving the support they are entitled to.

5. To improve services and ensure the voice of people living with arthritis is heard and acted on. 4

What we do• We provide self-management programmes

for over 5,000 people each year.• We work with 800 volunteers, most of whom

have arthritis.• We have over 12,000 members.• Over 130,000 of our booklets and information

are distributed or downloaded each year.• 10,000 people contact our Helpline.

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Living with arthritis

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“The pain is my constant companion and at times I get extremely tired and depressed”.

“It has made me an old womanprematurely and I feel very dependent on others, when previously I was a very capable person”. “I feel exhausted, down,

forgotten, guilty, missing out on life”.

Living with arthritis

• Arthritis is the most common cause of chronic pain in the UK, with pain being the most common symptom of living with arthritis.

• An average of 85% of contacts to the Arthritis Care helpline are about pain. 7

About self-management• Self-management works for anyone with

arthritis.• Self-management means taking control

of living with arthritis. • It is vital for a person’s emotional and

physical well-being.• It can be life-changing.

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About self-managementFor those with Rheumatoid Arthritis who have approached Arthritis Care, 80% have asked for specific information to take back control and manage themselves better.

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About self-management• Arthritis Care was the UK pioneer in delivering self-

management training • We have continued to develop new and innovative

services • In 2014, we’ve already helped over 5,000 people.

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“I am now more aware of which exercises are better suited to me and that I need to look more

closely at my diet and portion sizes to reduce my weight and therefore help my joints.”

Supporting self-management

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The impact of self managementPeople living with arthritis…• have increased knowledge about their

condition.• feel more confident to manage their condition.• feel more able to communicate effectively

about their condition.• feel better able to cope with their symptoms,

including pain.• are more active. 12

About Arthritis ChampionsOur Champions increase awareness and self-management of arthritis through:-• Information – web based and paper• Self-management techniques and

support with shared decision making• Local service signposting

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Arthritis Champion Support Hub

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Impact Goal 4: Ensure an independent life

• 89% said they had increased knowledge about their condition

• 67% of people said they would try new self-management techniques

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Arthritis Champions: England

Impact Goal 4: Ensure an independent life

• 29% are making changes to their diet or exercise

• 17% of people said they would try new methods to relieve their pain

• 11% are going to join their local branch, helping to reduce isolation

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RA Unspoken• People living with arthritis have told us that

they want to be equipped to get the most out of their consultations with health professionals.

• Last year we launched RA Unspoken - a website that provides people with practical tips on how to prepare for discussions with their rheumatologist.

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Impact Goal 5: Influence policy and shape services

• “When we talked about a care plan, I would have had no idea, I wouldn’t have thought about it but now I know I can ask for one if I want to. We talked about three questions that can help me when I visit my GP and writing any questions down that I want to ask before I go in.”

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What next for self-management?

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Thank you

Judi Rhyswww.arthritiscare.org.uk

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